Tertiary Dreams Finance and Scarce Skills. Advice from Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Blade Nzimande about study, work and funding opportunities for Matrics (12 January 2017). Identify scarce skills in order to find funding and learning opportunities.
Study, Career and Funding Options are Based on Scarce and Critical Skills
Matrics who have not succeeded, should rewrite their examinations or pursue other opportunities within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) system.
- There are approximately 505731 opportunities that are available within the PSET system to further their studies.
- There are three new universities: Sol Plaatje University (SPU), the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) and the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU).
Opportunities for Employment: Examples of Addressing Scarce and Critical Skills
Register at Technical and Vocational Colleges
- Enrol at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, they lead to intermediate and high-level skills.
- They offer flexible and diverse courses ranging from full qualifications to short courses, skills programmes and learnerships.
- Those who have completed Grade 12 with a minimum of a higher certificate achievement can consider studying further at one of the 50 public TVET colleges.
- Three new TVET college campuses will come into operation during 2017 namely:
– Thabazimbi Campus at the Waterberg TVET College in Limpopo;
– Bambanani Campus at uMfolozi TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal; and
– Nkandla A Campus at uMfolozi TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal.
Opportunities for Artisans
- South Africa needs at least 30000 qualified artisans to be produced per year. Learners can find opportunities provided by:
- Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) or
- National Skills Fund (NSF) funded artisan learnerships or
- apprenticeship opportunities to access artisan training in the various fields of engineering and services areas.
- If you’re interested in becoming artisans — such as motor mechanics, plumbers, electricians and hairdressers — register:
- at the National Artisan Development Support Centre (NADSC) by going to their website: http://nadsc.dhet.gov.za,
- or calling the NADSC Call Centre on 086 999 0125
- or by emailing copies of their qualifications to nadscinfo@dhet.gov.za or nadscplacements@dhet.gov.za.
- also approach Student Support Services at any of the public TVET colleges or the Khetha Career Development Services at the Department for more information.
- In order to be accepted into an artisan-training programme, learners must have passed Mathematics with a minimum mark of 50% and a pass in Science.
- Learners who pass but do not achieve the required achievement level in Mathematics and wish to consider a career as an artisan may also register for the Generic Trade Preparation Programmes, a bridging course for artisan training at NADSC.
NADSC, in consultation with SETAs, NSF and TVET colleges, will assist in the facilitation of the placement of these prospective artisan applicants.
- Learners who pass but do not achieve the required achievement level in Mathematics and wish to consider a career as an artisan may also register for the Generic Trade Preparation Programmes, a bridging course for artisan training at NADSC.
Combine Learning With getting Job Experience
- Out-of-school youth who wish to enter the world of work, or need to increase their skills capabilities, can also consider the options of learnerships, apprenticeships and skills programmes.
- TVET colleges also offer occupationally directed programmes that are accredited by SETAs and the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations.
- SETAs will be providing
- 100 821 learning programme opportunities in the form of 34 469 learnerships,
- 17 824 bursaries,
- 5 819 internships,
- 26193 skills programmes,
- 9 486 work-integrated learning and
- 7 030 apprenticeship opportunities.
